Mercury thermometer

[debradee]

Can anybody recommend an online supplier/a link for a good mercury thermometer in order to check temperature accurately (as per STTM instruction)? Thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

You can't buy mercury thermometers in the UK any more, it was restricted from about 2012 I think. I have an old one which is still going strong.

If you don't want to use a digital one, the next best thing would be one of these similar looking ones on Amazon

amazon.co.uk/s?k=mercury+th...

But check the low point, they don't seem to go down very low.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SeasideSusie]

Gallium is the key metallic element used in some of these thermometers. So only about seven degrees between blood temperature (standardised) and solidification.

Elemental gallium is a soft, silvery blue metal at standard temperature and pressure, a brittle solid at low temperatures, and a liquid at temperatures greater than 29.76 °C (85.57 °F) (above room temperature, but below the normal human body temperature of 98.6 °F (37.0 °C), hence, the metal will melt in a person's hands).

[Kitten44]

Search for a poultry or veterinary thermometer and you may be lucky, there are some in Amazon and eBay.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Kitten44]

I think you will find that except for the tiniest range of highly specialised products, all mercury-containing measurement devices are illegal. (There is a loophole for devices over 50 years old.)

assets.publishing.service.g...

If someone is offering them for sale, they are most likely breaking the law. Or they are being supplied from outwith the EU and possibly their importation would be illegal.

[debradee in reply to helvella]

Thank you.

[Angel_of_the_North]

You can no longer get them in the Uk, but you can get Geratherm analogue thermometer thermometersdirect.co.uk/ge... or from Amazon

[nightingale-56]

Hi debradee I have used a Geratherm thermometer from Amazon and it has been brilliant. I particularly like that is is oval in shape and does not roll around like a conventional one.

[debradee in reply to nightingale-56]

Can I ask specifically which one, please? I bought the Geratherm traditional looking non-mercury thermometer £4.99 from Amazon and I simply cannot shake it down. They gave me a refund in the end. It seem so important to have absolute accuracy if I'm measuring very temp for adrenals. Thanks you.

[nightingale-56 in reply to debradee]

I must admit it is rather hard to shake down, but that is the one I also have.

[debradee in reply to nightingale-56]

Ah!! Both myself and my husband failed... 🤔You must have special skills! 😅

[nightingale-56 in reply to debradee]

It takes me about 6 quick flicks of the wrist.